Safe Social Networking
Socializing Securely: Using Social
Networking Services
Mindi McDowell and Damon Morda
Social Networking Serves Many Purposes
Social networking is a way for people to connect and share information with each other online.
Millions of people worldwide regularly access these types of services from mobile devices, applications, and websites. According to statistics published by some of the most well-known social networking services, there are more than 500 million active users on Facebook1, 175 million registered users on Twitter2, more than 100 million users on MySpace3, and more than 80 million members on LinkedIn4.
People may use social networking services for different reasons: to network with new contacts, reconnect with former friends, maintain current relationships, build or promote a business or project, participate in discussions about a certain topic, or just have fun meeting and interacting with other users. Some services, such as Facebook and Twitter, have a broad range of users, while others cater to specific interests. For example, LinkedIn has positioned itself as a professional networking site—profiles include resume information, and groups are created to share questions and ideas with peers in similar fields. On the other hand, MySpace is known for its emphasis on music and other entertainment. There are also social networking services that have been designed specifically to reconnect former classmates.
Sharing Information Presents Risks
When you share information online, you need to understand the potential risks, and you need to be wary of what you share and with whom.
Attacks and Unintended Information Disclosure
Attackers may use social networking services to spread malicious code, compromise users’ computers, or access personal information about a user’s identity, location, contact information,
1
Facebook Factsheet (http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?factsheet) (accessed January 3, 2011)
About Twitter (http://twitter.com/about) (accessed
Networking Services
Mindi McDowell and Damon Morda
Social Networking Serves Many Purposes
Social networking is a way for people to connect and share information with each other online.
Millions of people worldwide regularly access these types of services from mobile devices, applications, and websites. According to statistics published by some of the most well-known social networking services, there are more than 500 million active users on Facebook1, 175 million registered users on Twitter2, more than 100 million users on MySpace3, and more than 80 million members on LinkedIn4.
People may use social networking services for different reasons: to network with new contacts, reconnect with former friends, maintain current relationships, build or promote a business or project, participate in discussions about a certain topic, or just have fun meeting and interacting with other users. Some services, such as Facebook and Twitter, have a broad range of users, while others cater to specific interests. For example, LinkedIn has positioned itself as a professional networking site—profiles include resume information, and groups are created to share questions and ideas with peers in similar fields. On the other hand, MySpace is known for its emphasis on music and other entertainment. There are also social networking services that have been designed specifically to reconnect former classmates.
Sharing Information Presents Risks
When you share information online, you need to understand the potential risks, and you need to be wary of what you share and with whom.
Attacks and Unintended Information Disclosure
Attackers may use social networking services to spread malicious code, compromise users’ computers, or access personal information about a user’s identity, location, contact information,
1
Facebook Factsheet (http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?factsheet) (accessed January 3, 2011)
About Twitter (http://twitter.com/about) (accessed